Minutes - Council - 12/12/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.03: Public Hearing - 2024 Tax Levies and General Fund Budget: ● Adopt Resolution #23-310 Adopting the 2023, Payable 2024 Municipal Tax Levy ● Adopt Resolution #23-311 Adopting the 2024 General Fund Budget ● Adopt Resolution #23-312 Adopting the 2024 Economic Development Authority (EDA) Budget Presentation Finance Director Lund reviewed the Staff report in regard to the proposed 2024 property tax levy and the general fund budget. She shared that the estimated tax capacity rate is proposed at 41.171%, the general budget is proposed at $20,799,768, and the overall final levy is proposed at $20,279,701. Public Hearing Mayor Kuzma called the public hearing to order at 7:54 p.m. Citizen Input Jeriann Palmer, 8251 154th Lane NW, came forward and asked about the request for the three new full-time street workers. She asked if these positions were in addition to the existing workers. She thanked Staff for what they have done as her taxes have not gone up by a huge amount. She noted that for the amount of what Public Works has gotten over the last few years, three new employees as well as all of their other requests seem to be a large request. She asked if some of these requests can be stretched out over a number of years rather than just one year. Councilmember Musgrove thanked Ms. Palmer for coming forward and shared her concerns. She shared that she will not be supporting the budget as there are quite a few items that she does appreciate while there are items that she does not support, including the three new street workers in one year. She noted that she is in support of the EDA increase as they have not had an increase in a while. Councilmember Specht thanked the Staff for their hard work on this budget. He shared there were a lot of items that the Council went back and forth on in the budget. He explained that this year they had a very hard time with the roads due to some of the maintenance in the past. He added that they had to outsource some of the work to bring contractors in to repair the roads. He noted there were other street related items that were not getting done due to a lack of staffing. He shared that they are also adding a parks employee as they have had the same number of parks employees since around 2006; however, parks are increasing as development comes into the City. He shared he will be supporting the budget this evening. He noted he is not happy with the increase; however, as a growing City he feels that this budget is what they need to keep a safe community. Councilmember Riley agreed with Councilmember Specht. City Council / December 12, 2023 Page 7 of 12